The Master of Dimensional Intrigue
By Alphya Cing
Smashwords Edition
Cover art by mimexart
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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Copyright 1998, 2011 Alphya Cing
The Master of Dimensional Intrigue
Rain splashed across the windows of the dingy office in the accounting section of VibraTech Corporation. A sign outside in front of the parking lot proclaimed VibraTech to be “A sound company”.
Marlin Clamor was not taking care of his paperwork. Marlin was engrossed in the latest novel in the “Master of Intrigue” adventure series he collected.
He pressed the black rims of his glasses further up his nose and turned another page. His mouth was moving along with what he was reading.
Without warning a pile of files thumped down on his desk.
Marlin jumped out of his seat. He blinked at the stack of files. Then he looked at the brunette who had delivered them.
“You’re supposed to be working,” admonished the bespectacled woman. “Here are the latest requisition forms from the boys in the labs. Some pretty neat stuff if they can pull it off. Run a cost analysis on each project and have the report on my desk tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered sheepishly. He tossed the book into a drawer in his desk.
She turned and walked out of the room.
Marlin listened to the sound of her heels clicking on the tile floor as he opened the first file.
‘Universal Key’ was emblazoned across the front page. Marlin quickly scanned the document. It was just as he remembered it. He had already seen the document when it had originally come through for appraisal.
The ‘Universal Key’ project had already been approved and the prototype had just been completed.
Marlin rifled through each of the files. Each was a project which was already under way.
“Sadie’s been working too hard,” Marlin muttered.
He rolled the files into a tube and secured them with an elastic band. He stuffed them into a suit pocket so that he could return them to her office when he left that evening.
But first he would return to his book. He pulled the book out of the desk.
The phone rang.
Marlin snatched up the receiver. “R&D accounts,” he murmured into the receiver.
A woman’s voice can be heard emanating from the phone.
“Sorry, Mother, I’ve been busy. The doctor said I’m fine. No. No. The doctor said the incident was brought on by stress. He said that whenever I’m under an inordinate amount of stress my mind takes refuge in what I’ve read in adventure novels and I act as if I am the Master of Intrigue. That’s why I went after that mugger. The gun must have triggered it. Honestly Mother I don’t remember any of it. All I remember is standing there with this guy crumpled at my feet and a crowd of people around me. Mother, I have to get back to work. Yes. Fine. I’ll be home around 10. Bye.”
He put the receiver back on the cradle.
Marlin picked up his book again. Quickly he flipped back to where he had left off. He was just coming to the big confrontation between the nasty bad guy of this novel and the hero of all the stories.
He was about to pick up where he had left off when the book was unceremoniously ripped from his hands.
“Whatcha readin’, Moron?” asked the lanky blond lad who had snatched the book away. Around the office no one called Marlin ‘Marlin’, they always called him ‘moron’.
“Hey give that back,” he insisted.
“You want it? Catch it.” The blond tossed the book past Marlin to his redheaded accomplice.
“Come and get it,” teased the pug-nosed carrot top. He turned and dashed out the door. Marlin and the blond bolted out the door after him.
Down a corridor they ran. Around a corner and down some stairs they went. Finally they ended up in the restricted research area.
“Come on guys,” wheezed Marlin. “Enough is enough. Give me my book.”
The other two were also ready to stop running.
The redhead looked around the room. He spotted a small silver disk the size of a mini-Frisbee sitting on a desk.
“I didn’t know we were involved in ninja weapon’s development.”
“It’s not ninja,” Marlin said as he lurched over and snatched the device from the redhead.
“You’re pretty quick for a bean counter,” murmured the redhead.
“Hey,” chirped blond. “Still want your book? Here you go.” He tossed the book into what looked like a locker made out of glass.
“Aw, you guys,” Marlin said as he bent over to pick up the book.
The redhead’s boot on Marlin’s butt pushed him into the locker. The door was shut behind him before he could turn around.
‘System Locked’ flashed in glowing red letters on a panel beside the redhead.
The pair stood outside the locker laughing. “You are such a moron,” snickered the blond.
Marlin pounded on the locker. “Come on guys, let me out.”
He rattled the locker some more.
“Ready to get out of here?” inquired the redhead.
“Yeah,” replied the blond.
Marlin pounded on the locker again. “What about me? You guys? You can’t just leave me here. Hey! You guys!”
There was a loud noise and Marlin watched as both men slumped to the ground.
The descent of the redhead’s body activated some switches on the panels beside Marlin’s glass prison.
Marlin’s heart was in his throat. He could see the blood seeping out of the blond’s body where the bullets had penetrated it.
A large black haired man stepped in front of the locker.
Marlin gasped.
The gunman hesitated.
The room began to fill with prismatic lights.
‘What’s going on?’ rang pitifully in Marlin’s thoughts as his ability to cope with the situation snapped rapidly out of existence.
The colours grew rapidly brighter until Marlin’s vision was awash in white. He held up his arms to shield his eyes but he was too late. He had opened his mouth to scream from the pain when he lost consciousness.
###
Marlin opened his eyes and squinted at the countryside around him. Everything was a blur. He reached up and adjusted his glasses. He took them off to clean them. Suddenly his vision was clear. “Why do I have these if I don’t need them?”
He attempted to stick the glasses in his shirt pocket. Something blocked them. “A pocket protector?! What the...What kind of case was I working on?”
Unbuttoning the top two on his shirt, he tried to think of the events which had led him to this place. Images of gunfire and explosions came to him along with images of numbers and a woman who would not keep her mouth shut.
“First things first,” he said aloud to himself. “Let’s see what I’ve got.” He took a moment to check himself up and down.
Then he dipped into the pockets of his suit jacket.
He extracted a silver mini-Frisbee. He wondered what it was as he turned it over in his hand. He returned it to the pocket.
He produced a tube from another pocket. Opening the tube he found several file folders. Each file folder had the name ‘VibraTech’ emblazoned upon it.
Marlin took a quick scan of the files. The one marked ‘Universal Key’ caught his eye. He opened it first.
Inside he found a diagram which resembled the silver mini-Frisbee. Marlin read aloud from the file. “‘A compact device that can perform the function of any key on any lock.’ Any lock? If it works this might come in very handy. Is that what I was after? For what purpose?”
He stood there a moment pondering.
The rest of the files looked intriguing enough , but they could wait. There were other pockets to explore.
Marlin pulled out a beaten brown wallet. He pulled it out a bit too fast and discovered, much to his chagrin, that it was fastened to his underwear by a thin string. The auto-wedgy made him jump. “Boy, when I throw myself into a role I sure go whole hog.”
He adjusted his pants.
He removed the string from the wallet and opened it. It wasn’t easy to open the string , but he had faced tougher challenges. “You never know where a clue might be hidden.”
Marlin examined the contents of the wallet. A VibraTech photo i.d. card. “I’m a Poindexter,” he observed. A VibraTech electronic entry card marked ‘Accounting Department’. “Yep. Just call me Melvin Poindexter and point me toward the internet. Yikes.” A transportation pass. Emergency phone numbers. About fifty dollars in cash. A single penny was pressed into the bottom of one of the small pockets. “So, I’m Marlin Clamor and I work in the accounting department at VibraTech. Why? What was I after? Did I achieve my goal? What now? And even more importantly, where am I?”
“Where am I?” he cried out to the valley.
“Let me see if I can answer that,” came a voice from the leaves.
Leaping to his feet Marlin queried, “Hello? You up in the tree?”
“I am not in the tree,” came the reply. “I am the tree.”
“I’m dreaming,” stated Marlin. “What do I have to do to wake up and return to reality?”
“That depends upon what you consider reality to be,” came the voice again. “To which reality do you belong?”
“Which reality?” Marlin began with a start.
“My apologies,” said the voice. “Let me assure you that you are fully conscious. Nothing around you is a figment of your imagination. But then, you could just be a figment of my imagination. The water here isn’t as pure as it used to be.”
Marlin asked, “Where am I then?”
“In relation to what?” the voice inquired. “Which country? Which road? Which county? Which ‘where’ would you like to know?”
“Look,” Marlin said a little testily, “this not being able to look you in the face is really starting to bother me. Would you please come down from the tree?”
“I told you before,” replied the voice, “I am the tree.”
“Trees do not talk,” Marlin stated flatly.
“Maybe you’ve just never listened,” supposed the voice.
“If I could get up there I could find you!” Marlin shouted up into the leaves.
“You want to get into the branches?” asked the voice. “Let me help you.” Two slim branches around five inches in diameter came slowly snaking their way through the foliage.
They cradled Marlin and began to lift him higher and higher through the branches.
“How are you doing this?” came Marlin’s stunned question.
“The same way you move your appendages,” was the tree’s reply.
“Then...,” Marlin grappled with his thoughts, “You really are the tree.”
“Yes, just as I have been telling you. I am the Tree of Pondish. I may speak in riddles every now and again just for fun , but I have never had any reason to lie to anyone.”
Marlin hesitated. “I’m Marlin Clamor. Nice to meet you.” He extended a hand into the air as if to invite a handshake. “Now, please put me back on the ground,” Marlin asked politely.
“Werner Klemperer?”
“Clamor. Marlin Clamor. Like a loud fish. Now set me down.”
“As you wish,” said the tree. The branches slowly lowered Marlin back to the ground.
“How is it that you can talk? I don’t see a mouth anywhere.” Marlin asked.
“What is a voice but wind rustling through fleshy folds? I do not need a mouth to speak. I merely vibrate my bark and leaves at a level you can perceive. This is what you call ‘speech’.” Came the tree’s response. “My method allows me to communicate with all the living things on Antasta.”
“Antasta? Where on Earth is Antasta?” Marlin wanted to know.
“Earth? Where on Antasta is Earth,” queried the tree. “This is the world known as Antasta by its natives. I have seen great empires rise and fall. I have experienced wondrous technologies and miraculous magic which have long since vanished. Now is a time of agricultural endeavour. Small kingdoms are scattered throughout the land. Many of the inhabitants have never ventured beyond their own islands.”
“World?!” Marlin was incredulous. “Then this isn’t Earth? Holy cow. Uh, what about technology?”
“That depends how you define technology. Most of this world's advances have been long forgotten.”
“Great,” Marlin said sarcastically. “How am I supposed to get home without advanced technology? And how did I get here in the first place?”
“Help others and they will help you. Generally speaking,” commented the tree.
“Where can I find the help I need?”
“There is a very good tailor in Niraba. It’s a village just east of here.”
“No, I need help to...what do you mean tailor?”
“You’re going to attract a lot of attention if you start wandering about the countryside dressed as you are. Here,” said the tree,” take this hooded black robe.” A branch from the tree tilted heavenward and issued forth a black robe.
Marlin held the robe up to have a look at it. Then he stuck his hands into its deep pockets. He pulled out a purple amulet and held it up.
“Native jewellery,” informed the tree. “Put that on over the robe and you’re sure to blend in.”
Marlin took the contents of his pockets and deposited them in the robe. “Thanks.”
“You are welcome. If you seek technology or the remnants of technology then you should travel east to the town of Niraba. There isn’t any there , but it’s a good place to start.”
“And east would be...?”
All of the trees branches pointed the way.
“Thanks again for everything. Perhaps someday I can return the favour.”
“You already have and will again,” replied the tree cryptically.
Marlin waved to the tree as he turned and headed down the dusty road.
###
It was a fairly short journey, taking only an hour or so.
When Marlin arrived in the coastal town of Niraba he was hungry and tired so he asked around about food and accommodation. He got pointed in the direction of Kyra’s Inn.
He arrived at Kyra’s and made his way up to the front desk.
Standing behind the desk was a young man in his late teens or early twenties. The man was dressed only in a pair of boxer swim trunks. He called himself Athon.
Marlin introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Marlin. I’m interested in a hot meal and somewhere to close my eyes for a little while. I’m also looking for information on any technology-based towns around here.”
“Technology based?” Athon quizzed.
“Yes. Uh, the people use machines a lot to accomplish different everyday things.”
“Oh,” said Athon. “There was such a place not long ago. It had marvellous machines which could perform practically any function.”
“Where is this place?”
“To the west under the Werbon Sea.”
“Under the sea?” repeated Marlin. “Water breathing people?” He hazarded a guess.
“No. Most died when the island sank. Or so we were told. Kyra and I were fortunate.”
The door to the inn was kicked open. Two uniformed persons entered the inn lobby. They marched up to the front desk and demanded to speak with Kyra.
Athon went off through the wooden door behind him.
Kyra appeared through that same door. She was a striking platinum blonde, just like Athon. She looked like she had just come from the beach. She was clad in swim trunks with her shirt tied loosely together at the bottom. She was barefoot. Marlin found himself eyeing her up and down as she sauntered toward the counter.
She walked directly to Marlin. Sticking out her hand she introduced herself.
Marlin stumbled for his words. “Breast to feel you,” he spewed. “Ah,” he continued agitatedly, “nice to meet you.”
He pumped her hand vigorously.
“Ahem,” the taller of the uniforms cleared his throat. “Kyra, we are here to speak with you about a matter of great importance.”
“What about?” Kyra wanted to know.
“Not here,” came the reply from the smaller, wider female uniform. “Let’s discuss it in your office.”
“Fine,” said Kyra. “Come this way.” She led them into her office through the door behind the front desk.
Inside the office Kyra took her seat behind her desk and motioned for the uniforms to sit also.
“The water manoeuvres are almost upon us. We need all of your rooms to accommodate the soldiers who will be here,” remarked the tall uniform.
“At no charge, of course,” interjected the wide one.
“But all of my rooms save one have all been booked long in advance. You’ll have to find somewhere else for your soldiers.”
“We are under strict orders from the King of Stadule. This inn must be made ready for his soldiers.”
“I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
“You don’t understand,” the wide one said while unhitching her handcuffs. “This inn is now ours. We’re not asking. We came as a courtesy to you to give you a chance to hand it over peacefully.”
“Now you give us no choice,” the tall one continued. “We’re arresting you until after the soldiers have left.”
The wide one approached Kyra and tried to secure the cuffs on her. Kyra backed away.
“Arresting me? On what charge? Get away from me.”
“Resisting arrest for starters. We’ll come up with some other charges if we really need them.”
Athon was beside himself when the handcuffed Kyra emerged from her office. “What’s going on?” he demanded.
“I’ve been arrested,” Kyra intoned dully. “They’re taking over the inn until after the manoeuvres. This place is going to be filled with soldiers from Stadule castle.”
“Soldiers?” Athon blurted. “What about all the customers?”
The uniforms marched Kyra to the front door.
She turned and said to Athon, “Stay out of trouble until after the manoeuvres. We’ll both be alright if we stay out of the way.”
“Kyra,” shouted Athon as the door closed behind the two uniforms.
“What just happened?” Marlin inquired.
“They’ve arrested my sister and taken her to jail.” Athon explained. “I’ve seen how those police look at my sister. She isn’t safe with them.”
“No, surely she’ll be..”
“You can’t be from around here,” Athon interrupted. “Or you’d know the way the police around here operate.”
‘Crooked cops? A cruel king? Seems like there’re some things that need straightening out around here,’ Marlin thought. Out loud he said, “Then you think your sister is in danger?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s break her out.”
###
“How? If we had the keys we could sneak in through the back door of the jail. It’s never guarded.”
“Key, eh?” Marlin reached into his robe and fumbled about briefly. Something in the back of his brain came up with information about the ‘universal key’ which he had read about in the files he was carrying. From his pocket he produced the ‘universal key’. “With this device I can open any lock.”
“Any lock?”
“Yes.”
"You must be a master thief then.”
“Master thief? Why, I’m the King!” Marlin laughed.
“You’d best not say that too loudly,” Athon cautioned. “It wasn’t always so , but the man who sits upon the throne in Stadule Castle is cruel. He does not take kindly to others referring to themselves as any sort of royalty.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t really be getting involved in all this , but I need to know more about the technology of your homeland.”
“Help me free my sister and we will tell you all we know.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Let me gather some things first,” said Athon.
Athon stuffed some objects into a knapsack and the two made their way to the rear of the jail.
Marlin pulled the ‘key’ from his pocket and pressed it against the lock in the door. With a tiny ‘click’ the door opened. The two men entered and the door swung shut and locked behind them.
They appeared to be alone. “The guards are either drinking, eating, or sleeping. With your device this should be easy.”
There were two corridors leading from the back door. One went north, the other to the east. “I’ve seen the special cell they keep female prisoners in,” Athon informed Marlin. “It’s down this corridor to the east.”
Off they went down the corridor until they came upon Kyra’s cell.
Kyra was lying on the cot staring up at the ceiling.
“Kyra,” Athon shout-whispered. Kyra looked over.
“Athon,” she replied a little too loudly. She rolled off the cot and approached the bars to her cell. “What are you doing here? And why have you involved this stranger?”
Marlin quickly interjected. “We’ve come to free you. Sorry about the last time we met...I was, uh, distracted.”
Kyra smiled wryly and took a deep breath. Marlin’s eyes bulged. “That’s alright. I have yet to meet a man who wasn’t ‘distracted’.”
“Let’s get you out of there.”
Marlin pressed the ‘key’ against the lock of the cell door. Nothing happened. Marlin shook the key and tried again. Again, nothing happened. Marlin violently slammed the key against the lock. There was the sound of metal on metal then the entire cell door melted. “That’s not what’s supposed to happen,” commented Marlin. “But it’ll do. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
From off in the distance the trio could hear the guards coming to investigate the noise.
The trio dashed down the corridor to the back door.
Marlin tried his key on the back door but it failed.
The sound of the guards got closer.
Marlin desperately tried the key again. It did not work.
Marlin shook the key furiously.
Kyra turned to Athon. “Ready?”
“Ready,” Athon replied.
The two turned and moved as one. They kicked the door right off its hinges.
“Remind me to stay on your good sides,” dropped from Marlin’s lips.
Brother and sister both laughed and grabbed one of Marlin’s hands and led him out into the night. They had slipped into the shadows behind one the houses just as the guards had made it to the back door of the jail.
Once they were safely in hiding Kyra turned to Marlin and said, “Thank you for your help. That’s quite the gizmo you have. I’m sorry , but I didn’t catch your name.”
“Marlin Clamor,” Marlin informed her. “And you’re welcome.”
“I made a bargain with Marlin,” Athon told Kyra. “If he helped me to free you I agreed that we would tell him all we know about the technology of our homeland.”
Kyra nodded. “Niraba isn’t safe for us anymore,” Kyra stated. “And that includes you Marlin. It won’t take the King’s men long to figure out that it was the stranger from the inn who helped us.”
“What will we do?” asked Athon.
“We should go to the Castle of Stadule and consult with Gromwyn,” came Kyra’s response. Athon agreed.
“Who’s ‘Gromwyn’? And how far is it to Castle Stool sample?” Marlin wanted to know.
“Stadule,” corrected Kyra. “We can make it there by morning if we leave now and don’t stop to rest along the way.”
“Walking?” Marlin asked without expecting a reply. “Don’t you people have cars or buses or airplanes or even horses?”
The siblings weren’t listening. They had already begun to sneak away in the shadows.
Marlin caught up with them at the edge of town. “Listen,” he said, “if the King is so hot to get rid of you two, why would you want to go closer to where he is?”
“Because we can hide easily right under the King’s nose with the help of our friend Gromwyn,” Athon explained.
The trio sprinted from the edge of Niraba into the forest.
Athon and Kyra led Marlin silently along a winding path through the forest. Marlin could not make out any trail they might be following.
They came to a clearing and Marlin said, “Could we stop for a while? All this walking is killing me. Besides, I’m still hungry. I never did end up getting anything to eat.”
The siblings hesitated.
Kyra checked the stars for the time. “It should be fairly safe here now. Most of the soldiers should be in Niraba by now.”
Athon broke out some of the gear from his backpack. “Take this and eat it,” he said to Marlin. He offered Marlin a strange tan bar the size and shape of a chocolate bar. This bar looked like it was made from pressed bamboo.
Marlin took the bar cautiously while asking, “Do I eat the whole thing or do I have to peel it? Any dangerous spiny quills I have to be aware of? You know the kind that inflicts instant death or terminal flatulence?”
“Nothing of the kind,” Athon assured him. Athon bit into his own bar. “This is a processed seaweed product. Very high in nutrients.”
Marlin gave a tentative bite to his bar. ‘Not bad,’ he thought as he began to chew more vigorously. Aloud he said between bites, “Who came up with these?”
It was Kyra who answered him, “It was developed by the people of our home island. We had been warned for awhile that our little island was sinking.”
“So,” Athon picked up the conversation while Kyra took a bite of her bar, “Our people spent a great amount of time developing machines and processes which would capitalize on the sea.”
“Why was the island sinking? And if your people knew the island was sinking, why didn’t they all leave?” Marlin had to know.
“The island was sinking because of the greed of the people. Especially the greed of the king. He proclaimed that all structures on the island were to be built of gold.” Kyra sneered.
Athon piped in, “The island couldn’t support the weight of all that gold so it started to slowly sink.”
Kyra continued, “The people finally realized something was majorly wrong when a favourite basilica slid into the sea. But by then it was too late.”
The three sat and ate silently for awhile.
Marlin broke the silence. “I don’t suppose that any of the tools your people used to repair and build their machines are still around?”
Athon shook his head. “The seaweed bar process is very simple. Not like that gizmo you have. Where did you get that?”
“The company I work for makes them,” Marlin said.
“They should make one that just unlocks doors instead of melting them,” Kyra offered.
“That’s what it’s supposed to do.”
“Oh,” said Kyra plainly.
“Perhaps Gromwyn will be able to help you,” Athon said.
“We should get moving. It isn’t safe to stay still in these woods too long,” advised Kyra.
“Don’t tell me let me guess,” Marlin yammered, “There are bands of crazed undead zombies wandering about who are eager to have us join them?”
The siblings looked at Marlin, then at each other, then back at Marlin. “Oh no,” Athon said. “Just your typical bandits, thieves, wild animals, and assorted nocturnal carnivorous plants.”
“Oh good,” Marlin said aloud. Under his breath he murmured ‘I have to stop watching so many horror flicks.”
The band was on the road again. They trudged on for what felt to Marlin like hours. This gave him time to consider his situation. The way he had it figured, he was way off any case that he had been working on. Based on the technology he had glimpsed in the VibraTech files, he surmised that the world in which he now found himself was not part of the original bargain.
In reality it had actually been several hours of straight walking. Marlin could hardly move when they finally arrived at the walls of the Castle of Stadule.
They crept along the castle wall. Marlin had to settle for walking with his legs bowed like a cowboy’s because they were starting to give way.
Beneath a tarp, which had been painted the same colour as the wall, they found a crack large enough for them to squeeze through to the interior of the castle courtyard.
They made their way down the back alleys to a little brown door set deep in the stones of the building.
Athon wrapped rhythmically on the door.
“Moccachino,” Marlin thought he heard a voice behind the door say.
“Athon and Kyra,” Kyra said very close to the door.
The door swung wide to reveal an elderly gentleman with outstretched arms. “Children,” he beamed. He stopped when he saw Marlin.
“Who is this?” he wanted to know.
“Gromwyn, this is Marlin,” Athon introduced.
Gromwyn and Marlin shook hands.
“Nice medallion,” commented Gromwyn.
“It came with the robe,” Marlin flipped back.
“Then you’ve met the Tree of Pondish,” Gromwyn deduced.
“Yes, I do seem to recall a conversation with some foliage,” Marlin mused.
“We must talk then. Come,” he commanded.
He led them down a dimly lit, narrow passageway to another wooden door. Gromwyn passed his hands over several points on the door. It opened. They went inside.
The small room they entered was furnished sparsely. There was a bed pushed up against one corner. In another corner sat a small trunk. A wooden table sat in the centre of the room surrounded by four chairs. There was also another door.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Gromwyn invited them.
They each chose a chair around the table. Marlin dropped on the bed. “Nice hovel,” he commented as he closed his eyes.
“It serves its purpose for the time being,” Gromwyn said nonchalantly. “However time is growing short. We must get in to the castle proper in order to expose the false king.”
“False king?” Marlin opened his eyes and looked at Gromwyn.
Gromwyn looked back. “Yes. The man on the throne is not the real king. I am.”
“Sure, and I’m really Bruce Campbell.” Marlin closed his eyes again.
The three natives exchanged puzzled looks.
Marlin began to snore lightly.
The three friends stayed up awhile chatting. The siblings filled Gromwyn in on what had happened in Niraba. They also told him everything they knew about Marlin.
Marlin had no idea what time it was or exactly where he was when he awoke a few hours later. His eyes finally focused on Kyra.
“Did you sleep well?” She asked.
Marlin lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Yes,” he croaked. It all came back to him.
He tried to swing his legs over the side of the bed. They moved hesitantly. “I’m stiff,” he commented.
“Flatterer,” teased Kyra. “The washroom is through that door.” She said pointing to the door.
“No,” Marlin protested. “My legs...oh never mind.” He trotted off to use the facilities.
Gromwyn’s bathroom was crafted almost entirely out of hewn rock. It had a sink, a flush toilet, and a large shower stall. Someone had left fresh towels out for Marlin to use. He did.
While he showered he took time to think about his situation. He was relaxing under the warm spray of the shower when a completely different thinking pattern started to erupt. Images of a book being tossed through the air, a couple of bleeding bodies, and a man holding a gun flashed swiftly through Marlin’s mind. He tensed up then seemed to relax. “Why do I suddenly have the urge to call my mother?”
He returned to the first room refreshed and relaxed.
Gromwyn was placing a large tray filled with food on the table when Marlin came back from freshening up.
The four sat down at the table and began to eat.
“The citizen’s are growing restless,” Gromwyn commented as he sopped up some egg with his biscuit.
“What’s been going on?” asked Athon. He had been the next to fall under Morpheus’ control the night before.
“The false king has imposed a thing called taxes.”
“Taxes?”
“Yes, it means that part of however much money you make is taken by the government.”
“What does the government do with the money?”
“I can see that it could be useful for building roads and things like that. But I think it’s just a way for the fake king to line his pockets. He must be stopped.”
Marlin piped in. “If you’re the real king, then why don’t you just walk in and reclaim your throne?”
“It’s not that simple. I have no proof that I am the real king.”
“That’s why Gromwyn needs your help,” Kyra said.
“Authenticating kings isn’t exactly on my resume.”
“There is something I need you to get from the Tree of Pondish.”
“You know the Tree. Why don’t you go get it?”
“The Tree and I had a falling out.”
“Why haven’t you asked Athon or Kyra to run this errand before?”
“I wanted to see what the imposter was up to.”
“How’d the imposter manage to take your place?”
“I received word that the town of Carast in the middle of the desert had had its supplies destroyed by a dragon. I went secretly to see if this was true. No one here knew that I had left. The imposter took my place as soon as I had left.”
“How did the imposter know you were going to Carast if no one else did?”
“Good question. One for which I don’t have an answer.”
“Okay. What is it that you want from the Tree? And please tell me that you have some form of transportation. My walking has to be curtailed for a bit.”
“I have horses.”
Marlin thought back to the summers he had spent on his uncle’s ranch. “Horses I can do. Now, what do you need from the Tree?”
“The Key of Obisk.”
“You need a key, eh?”
“Yes, and...” Gromwyn stopped Marlin from pulling the ‘key’ out of his pocket. “I need one that won’t melt my kingdom.”
“Point taken. Alright, I’ll go get this Key of Obisk for you. When I return I expect you to try and help me get back home.”
“Fair enough , but Athon and Kyra will join you.”
Gromwyn lead them to the horses after packing them some food and liquids for their journey.
The three had a fairly uneventful ride to the Tree.
Marlin approached the tree and began singing.
“Oh cryptic tree, oh cryptic tree..” sang Marlin. “I need your help oh cryptic tree.”
The tree chuckled. “I see you’ve made some friends.”
Marlin indicated each sibling in turn. “That’s Athon. This is Kyra.”
“I know,” said the Tree. “I knew when they were born and where. Their homeland contains great treasure and knowledge. If only one could get there now.”
“I’ve come to ask for the Key of Obisk.”
“Certainly. Do you have anything to exchange for it?”
“Did you have something in mind?”
“I am partial to harps. Bring me the Harp of Harkening and the Key of Obisk is yours.”
“Who comes up with the names for these things? Harp of Harkening?”
“It is named for what it does. Does a light not bring luminance?”
“Sure but we don’t call light bulbs, “Orbs of Luminance”.”
“It is named that so that people don’t confuse it with other harps like the Harp of Harassment.”
“Harassment?” Marlin had to know.
“Nasty little stringed thing. It won’t stop playing. Or rather, whoever picks it up can’t stop playing it. Drives people crazy.”
“Okay.” Marlin turned to Athon and Kyra. “Any idea where we can find the Harp of Harkening?”
“We had that harp on our island. If only we could get down to where it sank.” Athon said.
“We could if we had a submarine.”
“A what?”
“A submarine. A vehicle which travels under water. Depending upon how deep the island has fallen, we could explore and retrieve artefacts from there.”
“Perhaps the shipbuilders in Port Tinnsley can assist you,” suggested the Tree.
“We know the way,” Kyra informed Marlin.
“Wonderful,” Marlin sighed as he mounted his horse. “At least I’m racking up those frequent rider miles.”
On the ride to Port Tinnsley Marlin asked, “Aren’t you two afraid of running into the false king’s soldiers?”
“Not really,” came Kyra’s reply. “Most of the people here on the main island know who we are. We have friends everywhere.”
“But people around here don’t know who you are,” Athon added. “When we reach Port Tinnsley you should try to make yourself unobtrusive.”
They arrived at Port Tinnsley and tethered their horses outside the market square.
Kyra and Athon left Marlin so that they could move freely through the crowd. Marlin stood against the wall of a building, trying to blend into the shadows.
“You there in the shadows. What’s your name?” A passerby wanted to know.
Marlin paused. His brain was telling him two names. He chose one at random. “Marlin.”
“Merlin? Hey, that rotten wizard is back! Get him!”
An angry mob gathered around Marlin in a semi-circle.
“You promised us miracle ballast.” Came a shout from the crowd.
“Yeah,” came another voice. “You said your magic miracle ballast would allow our ships to be as light as air.”
“Now wait,” Marlin pleads. “You’ve got the wrong guy.”
The mob advanced. They all seemed to be carrying rocks and weapons.
Marlin fidgeted with the ‘key’ in his pocket. He hid it in his palm and removed his hand from his pocket. ‘Since they aren’t listening I’d better play along. They want magic? I’ll give ‘em magic.’
“Stand back!” he shouted as he brought the hand concealing the ‘key’ down on the stone block beside him. Nothing happened.
“And we’ve seen nothing for over twenty years!” Came another angry shout.
“Stand back!” he shouted again. Again he tried to get the ‘key’ to affect the stone. Again nothing happened.
The mob began to throw stones at Marlin. He instinctively placed his hands to the side of his face and turned away.
###
He didn’t feel any of the rocks hitting him. He opened his eyes and looked to see the projectiles being stopped in mid-air about three feet in front of him. The ‘key’ had setup a wall.
“Heh heh,” chuckled Marlin. “I guess that’ll show you not to mess with the power of Marlin.” He forgot himself and let the hand holding the key point away from the crowd.
A small rock whacked him on the forehead.
When he regained consciousness he found himself on a small cot. Athon, Kyra, and a man he had never seen before were all sitting around a table. Marlin attempted to sit up. He was still pretty woozy.
“Ah, Marlin, you have returned to us,” said Athon.
“What happened?” inquired Marlin as he rubbed his forehead.
“The townsfolk thought you were someone else.”
“I recall them shouting something about ‘Merlin’.”
“A wandering alchemist who came to town and made big promises he didn’t keep.”
Marlin got up from the bed and stumbled over to a chair at the table. “Why did they think I was Merlin?”
“That’s who you told the townspeople you were.”
“Merlin? Um um um...no, Marlin.” His memory kicked back in and he was able to recall all of the events which had lead him to this place.
Should he tell the others that he was really Roc Sandstorm, the Master of Intrigue? Or should he keep up the pretence of being Marlin Clamor, forty year old accountant who probably still lived with his mother? He decided to stick with his cover. “My name’s Marlin Clamor. I’m sure you already know these two,” he said indicating the siblings.
Kyra introduced Marlin to the strange man sitting across from him. “Marlin, this is Keel. He’s a shipbuilder.”
The two shook hands. “These two tell me you want to build a ship to travel under the water.”
“Yes. May I see some of your handiwork?”
“Certainly. Come this way.”
Keel led the trio out of the small room and into a large one.
The large room was filled with wooden bits and pieces of boats. Two completed hulls were situated on either side of the room.
Marlin walked around the room inspecting the bits and the two hulls. “We can make a submarine fairly quickly if we cement those two hulls together to form a shell.”
Keel considered Marlin’s words. “Possible,” he mused. “Then what?”
“Then we’ll have to worry about the inner workings. Things like ballast tanks, entryways, propulsion, and air to breathe.”
“I’ll get to work on those hulls. If you can put designs of what you need on paper I’ll have them attended to.”
The four spent the next three days constructing the submarine. It had been built on a boat launch. When it was done they stood in front of it admiring their achievement.
“Now she needs a name,” said Keel.
“A marlin is a type of fish, isn’t it?” Kyra asked.
“Yes it is,” answered Marlin. “My Dad named me. Boy did I ever do a lot of fishing when I was a kid.”
“That’s perfect then,” chirped Kyra.
“And without Marlin she never would’ve been built,” Athon chimed in.
“It’s settled then,” Keel concluded. “This underwater ship will be called ‘Marlin’.”
“Gee guys,” Marlin stammered. “Isn’t that going to be bit confusing?”
“It fits doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but..”
“Climb aboard and prepare to launch,” Keel told them.
The trio piled on board and assumed their positions. Marlin in the mid-front steering; Kyra in front navigating; and Athon in the rear atop a bicycle-type contraption providing the power.
Two knocks from the outside and three back from inside indicated that all was ready for the launch.
The ship was launched without a hitch. It slid straight into the water and began to sink slowly when her crew opened the ballast tanks.
“Drives like a dream,” commented Marlin to no one in particular. “How far ddddd....” he stuttered as the ship shuddered. It settled again. “Which reminds me; did we remember motion-sickness bags?”
The ship floated along at a leisurely pace just below the surface of the water. No leaks could be found. Athon increased his peddling.
“How are we going to retrieve the harp if we find it?” Athon
“First we’ll test the ship and find the city. Once we know how far down it is we’ll have a better idea of what we’ll need to explore further.” Marlin said.
The churning of the silt made it even more difficult to see where they were going. Lighting for the outside of the ship was something they still had to work on. The ship couldn’t remain submerged for long because of the lamps inside were burning up precious oxygen. This was not foreseen as being a problem for the maiden test voyage.
Without warning the ship jerked to a halt.
All three peered outside to find out why they had stopped.
Long slender tendrils had wrapped themselves around the ship and were holding it in place.
“What’s that?” Marlin
“A seawhip,” Kyra informed him. “They don’t generally attack other sea life. Sea whips are highly intelligent plants.”
“Ah, there’s nothing like sentient plant life to really spruce up the place,” commented Marlin.
“Why would the seawhip grab us?” Athon asked as he tried to peddle harder.
Kyra took the seat next to Athon and began to peddle. “I bet if we filled you with drink you could break free.” She smiled at her brother.
“Drink?” puzzled Marlin.
“Yeah,” Kyra explained. “Whenever Athon drinks he gets really hyper.” She laughed.
“Hmmm,” mused Marlin. “That would make the ‘Marlin’ the first Athon-alcohol powered vehicle.”
They all smiled at each other. The ship began to move again.
“Uh oh...reality check..” Marlin said. “Save your strength, you two. Why does this thing want us?”
“Seawhips have been known to be used as sentinels by some port cities. Easy way to get rid of unwanted ships. Or prevent them from docking.” Kyra said.
The ship began to creak and moan as the ship was dragged deeper and deeper toward the sea bed.
“Oh this isn’t good,” lamented Marlin. He found himself getting lightheaded.
The lamps went out. “No, this is definitely not on the ‘good’ list,” Marlin surmised as he slumped over in his chair.
###
Marlin found himself bound to a chair. The water in the room was slowly rising.
“What’s going on here?” he demanded.
“Confession time,” sneered one of his jailors. “You confess and we kill you. You don’t confess, you drown.”
“Well, that seems fair. Confess to what?”
“You are a spy from the surface who has come to steal our secrets and our treasure.”
“You guys aren’t members of ‘paranoids anonymous’, are you?”
“You have until the water chokes your throat.” The two guards shuffled up the stone stairs and left the cell.
Marlin surveyed the room. “I don’t have much to work with here,” he muttered.
The water was rising fairly rapidly now.
Marlin tried various means of escaping his bonds. He twisted his wrists back and forth. He tried jumping in the chair. He stuck his neck out as far as he could to see if he could reach the ropes on his wrists. All to no avail.
The water was bobbing just over his chin when the door to the cell opened. Athon stood at the top of the stairs. “Drain the water and release him.”
The guards did as Athon told them.
Marlin did a little dance and shook. “I’ve heard of wash and wear suits but this is ridiculous.” He thanked Athon. “Where are we?”
“Come with me,” said Athon.
Marlin sloshed his way up the stairs and followed Athon out the door.
The rough hewn rock steps came to a richly carpeted hallway. The walls were all of ornately carved gold. Marlin found himself squinting because of the brightness.
They walked down the hall and turned right.
They followed that hall for a short distance then turned to two large double doors on the left.
Athon opened the double doors and gestured for Marlin to enter.
Marlin entered what was obviously the throne room.
“So,” came a commanding voice. “You are the one who has returned Kyra and Athon to us. Welcome.”
Marlin looked toward the source of the voice. Seated on one of the thrones was a distinguished looking, bald older gentleman. He was clad in flowing robes. A gold laurel leaf crown adorned his head. “Uh, thanks,” Marlin said hesitantly.
“I am King Avarice,” said the man on the throne. “This is my underwater city of gold.”
“Nice to be here after what I just went through. What was that all about anyway?”
“We weren’t sure why you had come from the surface. We thought you had come to plunder the city’s treasure.”
“And the fact that I was traveling with two of your citizen’s didn’t enter into it at all, did it?”
“They could’ve become treasure hunters after all the time they’ve spent on the surface.”
“My but we are a trusting soul, aren’t we?”
“Call me...’possessive’ if you like.” Avarice smiled. “I understand that you are after something of mine.”
“Well, if we’re being totally honest, yes I am.”
“The Harp of Harkening,” Avarice said as he made a sweeping gesture toward his right.
Sitting on a four foot black marble pedestal was a small wooden harp. The polish of the wood gleamed in the light of the golden room.
“The Tree of Pondish wants it. I just said I’d go fetch it.”
“And what are you offering in return?”
“I knew there had to be a catch. What do you want?”
“The Prism of Permanence!”
“Of course you do.”
“It will make a much nicer display over there than the Harp of Harkening.” Avarice said nodding towards the harp.
“Listen your kingship, I only agreed to this mission because I was really hoping to find a clue to help me return to my world. Before I take off to get your prism I’d like to know if you can throw some light on my situation.”
“Oh course. Travelers from other worlds are not unknown to us. Do as I request and we shall come to an understanding. You will need all the help you can get to bring back the prism from the Mystic Pool of Ranboon.”
“I have Kyra and Athon to help me.”
“Actually, Marlin,” Kyra stepped forward. Athon followed suit. “We’ve decided to stay here. This is our home.”
“There’s so much to see and so many people to catch up with. Don’t you wonder how it’s possible that we’re sitting on the bottom of the sea and yet are able to breathe?”
“I was wondering about that. Where’s the electricity coming from?”
Athon, “Water turbines generate the electricity. The rest I don’t know , but I’d sure like to find out.”
“I would too but I’d really rather go home, I think.” The Master of Intrigue was rapidly becoming intrigued with this world.
“Then you understand how we feel.”
“Yes, I can’t say that I blame you.”
“It’s settled then,” Avarice concluded. “We look forward to your return with the prism.”
“I was hoping you could enlighten me before I left.”
“Now now now. Who’s to say you would bother to return with the prism if I give you the information now?”
“You make a valid point. Okay, how do I get to this messed up pool of ragged loons?”
“ ‘Mystic Pool of Ranboon’ “ Avarice repeated.
Athon piped in. “The only way to get there is over the mountains.”
“And how am I supposed to get over those mountains?”
“You could try climbing them.”
“Any better suggestions?”
“You could enlist the aid of Syngrine. She could help you.”
“Who’s gangrene?”
“Syngrine is a very old dragon. She is very fond of gems.”
“So now I have to find some gems to buy the services of a dragon named sangria?”
“Syngrine.”
“Whatever. This gets more ludicrous all the time.” Marlin slapped his forehead.
Kyra disappeared through a door behind the throne and reappeared almost as quickly.
“Here,” she said handing a satchel to Marlin.
Marlin took it and opened it. “Wow!” His eyes lit up.
The bag was brimming with precious gems.
“Take only a couple of them with you. Hide the bag somewhere and tell Syngrine she can have the rest once she has returned you safely from the Pool of Ranboon.”
King Avarice got up from his throne and walked over to Marlin.
He put his arm on Marlin’s shoulder and led him to the door on the opposite side of the throne. “Got everything now? Good. Good. See you with the prism. Bye!” He shut the door on Marlin.
###
Marlin looked around the very tiny metallic room. There was just room for a small seat on one side. He sat down and noticed the straps on either side of the seat.
“Hmmm,” he thought. “Looks like a seat belt. I wonder what..th-th-that’s f-f-f-f-f-forrr.”
The room began to jolt like an elevator moving very rapidly. Marlin felt himself being pressed mercilessly into the small seat.
“Now I know why they call them ‘g’ forces.” He said through clenched teeth. “Gut-wrenching forces.”
He struggled to grab the straps and fasten them together.
He had just managed to secure himself to the seat when the decent occurred.
Marlin was knocked about in his seat like a rag doll.
Then the room was motionless.
Marlin rocked back and forth in his seat. Still no movement from the room.
He undid the straps and got out of the chair.
Hesitantly he tried the door. It swung open easily and stood swinging in mid-air as Marlin gaped at his surroundings.
“Where am I now?” he asked the air.
The room had landed on a small inlet. The water crashed viciously against the rocks. Marlin considered that for a moment. “That could’ve made for a nasty landing.”
Marlin spotted a cave entrance between the trees rolling their way up the hillsides from the inlet. He decided to head in the direction of the cave.
“Yippee,” he intoned with mock amusement. “More hiking. The most hiking I’m used to is hiking up my socks. There’s never a cab when you really need one.”
The cave wasn’t actually that far away. Marlin just felt like bitching.
Inside the cave Marlin came across a large cavern in which a man was arguing with a dragon. The man was in a fighting stance. The dragon was curled up and relaxed.
“Syngrine,” the man addressed the dragon. “I have come to ensure that you will never again damage other people’s property.” He waved his sword at the dragon.
“What are you talking about, Corbon?” asked the dragon.
“It was you who attacked Carast,” accused Corbon.
“No it wasn’t.”
“Yes it was.”
“What other dragons do we have of your size and weight?”
“It wasn’t me. Why would I torch Carast?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re getting old and forgetful.” Corbon chuckled. “Here comes a meal of steel.” He assumed a striking stance.
Syngrine belched. A thin stream of flame melted Corbon’s sword. Syngrine excused herself.
“My sword!” cried Corbon. “That was my favourite sword!”
“Now it can be your favourite puddle of metal.”
“Excuse me,” Marlin interrupted them. “But I’m looking for Syngrine.”
Corbon was pacing in front of Syngrine, sizing her up. “That’s the beast.” He said jerking a thumb in the dragon’s direction.
“Oh what do you want?” asked Syngrine.
“I need to fly to the Pool of Ranboon. I need you to take me there.”
“Syngrine isn’t going anywhere,” Corbon vowed.
“Oh stop,” murmured Syngrine as she placed a heavy claw on Corbon and pinned him down.
Corbon began squirming and protesting.
Syngrine asked, “And why would I want to do anything for you?”
Marlin pulled out two of the jewels he had picked up in the underwater city. “Here,” he said holding them up for Syngrine to see. “I know where there are more of these. Take me to the Pool of Ranboon and I’ll tell you where to find them.”
“Harumph,” yawned Syngrine. “A few baubles left over from the sunken gold city.”
“No no,” protested Marlin. “Not just a few baubles. I’ve been to the city.”
“Underwater?” both Syngrine and Corbon exclaimed. Corbon stopped fidgeting under the weight of Syngrine’s claw.
“Yes,” Marlin informed them. “I built a submarine and traveled there.”
“Submarine?” the two again questioned in harmony.
“It’s a vehicle for traveling under water,” Marlin explained. “I brought back an entire bag stuffed with gems.”
“And you’ll give me the bag if I take you to the Pool of Ranboon and back here?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. But cross me and you’re toasted roast, understand?”
“Perfectly.”
Syngrine lifted Corbon off the floor and shook him out a bit. “And as for you,” she said addressing Corbon. “You are coming with us to look after him.”
“Look after me?”
“Do you know anything about the Mystic Pool of Ranboon?” Corbon asked.
“Actually, I have no idea. Not a clue. Zip. Zilch. Nada.”
Corbon laughed. “Then give me a sword,” he commanded Syngrine. He held out his hand to Marlin. “I’m Corbon.”
“Marlin,” Marlin replied shaking Corbon’s hand.
“Oh you and your swords.” Syngrine looked behind her further back into the cavern.
She turned her neck and bit lightly onto the hilt of a beautiful sword. She dropped it at Corbon’s feet.
“Ah, very nice,” Corbon said admiring the sword.
“You really like swords, don’t you?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Do you fight a lot?”
“Not really. I just like swords. I like the feel of them. I like the way they slice.”
“So, not a lot of fighting?”
“No. I do wood carving. Very big pieces.
“Like ‘WoodHenge’?”
Corbon gave Marlin a blank look.
Marlin attempted to jumpstart the conversation. “Tell me about the pool.”
“Ah yes,” Corbon nodded with a faraway look in his eyes. “Ranboon. Ranboon was a sorcerer a long time ago.”
“Sorcerer? You mean like hocus-pocus and conjuring?”
“Ranboon disappeared into the pool over a millennia ago. No one has dared to enter it to find out where it goes.”
“Tell him the rest of the story on the way,” Syngrine interrupted him.
The two men left through the passage Marlin had entered. Syngrine went out the back.
Syngrine swooped down and picked up the two in each claw.
Corbon shouted against the wind to Marlin. “Ranboon’s pool is protected by living statues. They house the artefacts of Ranboon. Answer their questions truthfully and you can take anything you like.” He paused to wet his mouth from the wineskin off his belt.
“Is it safe for you to be travelling with Syngrine? I thought you two hated each other.”
“Us?”
“But didn’t you say that Syngrine had crisped your town?”
“Yeah. It’ll give them something to do. Carast is in the middle of the desert. Miles and miles of nothing but sand.
Hey,” he said shouting to Syngrine. “I bet they find some really great glass after the big meltdown.” They both laughed.
He turned back to Marlin. “I have known Syngrine all my life. Even I couldn’t believe that she would do such a thing.”
“Hmmm,” mused Marlin. “A fake king and a fake dragon. Interesting.”
They were landing already. “Make it back to this clearing and I’ll pick you up.” Syngrine took off toward the sky.
###
It was a short vine-covered walk to the entrance of the hedges surrounding the Pool of Ranboon.
The two entered the labyrinth. They checked left and right. They looked at each other and shrugged. They decided to try right.
It wasn’t a maze at all. It merely appeared that way from the entrance. A single hedge ran perpendicular to a double-rowed hedge which circled the pool.
Blocking the way to the pool were sets of statues. Each statue looked like moulded ceramic. The images looked like midgets forming a totem pole. Marlin counted three faces on each statue.
Corbon drew his sword.
“Do you think you’ll need that?”
“One never knows.”
They approached the nearest set of statues. Marlin reached out his hand to touch one of them.
The statue shimmered as if enveloped by a white light. A thin, tinny voice came from within it. “What is thy quest?”
“To seek the Holy Grail,” Marlin said without thinking. He laughed. Or at least he started to. All he caught, barely, was a puff of smoke from the statue and a silver streak flashing past his face. “What just happened here?”
Corbon was polishing his blade. “Take the question more seriously, would you? I almost missed one.” He indicated the metal tipped darts lying in halves at Marlin’s feet.
Marlin gaped at the projectiles. “Good thing you really like swords.”
Marlin reached out to touch the statue again. The scene before repeated itself. This time Marlin kept his mouth shut until he could formulate a better answer.
“What is thy quest?”
“I seek the Prism of Permanence.”
The statue disappeared. The three remaining statues hovered over to the pool.
Marlin and Corbon walked up to the pool. It was a large stone encased pool. The water looked like a whirlpool of dark colours.
“Now what?” asked Marlin.
“Maybe you have to touch another statue,” Corbon offered.
Marlin shrugged and touched another statue. It took on the white light effect. The tinny voice rasped, “Why do you seek the Prism of Permanence?”
“To give to King Avarice in return for the Harp of Harkening.”
The statue disappeared. The remaining two approached Marlin.
Marlin touched one of them. “Why do you require the Harp of Harkening?”
“To give to the Tree of Pondish in return for the Key of Obisk.”
The statue disappeared. The last statue started to glow on its own. “Why do you seek the Key of Obisk?”
“To give to the true King Gromwyn of Stadule Castle. An imposter currently rests on his throne.”
The statue didn’t disappear. “A noble quest indeed.”
The top half of the statue dissolved into thin air. It revealed a prism about a foot long.
Marlin gathered the prism and the two headed back to the clearing.
Marlin pulled out another couple of gems and used them to signal to Syngrine.
She flew down and scooped them up. “Did you get what you came for?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Where are my gems?”
“Take me back to your cave and I’ll give them to you.”
Syngrine flew back to her cave.
They met back where they had met originally. On his trip back through the cavern Marlin grabbed the bag of gems which he had secreted behind a pile of rocks. It had been a last minute stash because he had not expected to run into Syngrine so soon.
Syngrine was delighted with her new gems. “Where are you going now, little man whom I know nothing about?”
“You know, I was thinking you might be interested in this somehow. Ultimately I’m trying to get home. In the meantime I’m helping a king expose a false king. One who has assumed his identity. And as far as I can tell, no one around the castle has caught on. So this guy’s good.”
“Why would that interest me?”
“Because a false dragon fried Carast. Aren’t you curious as to where this dragon came from or where it is now? Or why it did what it did?”
“You think this imposter king and fake dragon are connected somehow?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Take the prism to King Avarice. Then return here and we’ll all go to Stadule.”
“Right,” he said as a marched out of the cave.
‘Wrong,’ he thought as he walked along the path he had taken up from the little room at the inlet. ‘How am I supposed to get back down without the ship?’
He reached the little room. The door was still swinging freely in the breeze.
He climbed back in and shut the door. The room began to move.
It knocked him out of the chair. Marlin quickly fastened the straps.
The landing was surprisingly smooth. Marlin figured it must have been some sort of water brakes which stopped the room.
The door opened.
Standing just outside the door were Athon, Kyra, and King Avarice.
“Welcome back. Did you get the prism?” The king wanted to know.
“Yes, here it is.” Marlin said holding it up.
“Great,” said the king as he snatched the prism from Marlin and tossed the harp into his lap. “Nice doing business with you.” He slammed the door shut again.
Marlin was about to bang on the door as he shouted, “What about my information?” The movement of the room knocked him into the seat.
“So much for reunions,” Marlin said to himself.
Marlin was a little more prepared for the trip this time.
He didn’t bounce around nearly as much as he had on his first voyage.
He staggered up the hill to Syngrine’s cave.
“Hi honey I’m home,” he bellowed as he entered the cave.
“Got the harp I see,” Syngrine observed.
“Yes, now I need to get to the Tree of Pondish.”
“Why go to the Tree, when the Tree can come to you?” Syngrine rhythmically pounded a paw on the floor of the cave. She repeated the pounding.
Suddenly the earth to the left of the group erupted. Up shot an enormous root.
“Hello Syngrine, Corbon, Marlin.” The voice of the Tree of Pondish was unmistakeable even though it sounded like a bad long distance connection.
“I have the harp,” Marlin stated as he held up the harp.
“Well done,” commented the Tree root. “Here is the Key of Obisk.” A tendril slithered forward to hand Marlin the key. Another branch relived him of the harp.
The root began to withdraw into the earth. “Wait,” Marlin cried out to it. “What do you think about what’s happening in Stadule?”
“What about Carast?” Corbon piped in.
“Oh?” asked the root. “Truly blazing sand in the desert.”
“Good thing the buildings are mainly of stone. Very little to actually burn. Nobody got hurt.” Corbon put forth while polishing his sword.
“But who was the dragon? And who told King Gromwyn to go there in secret? How did the imposter king know Gromwyn was leaving?” Marlin puzzled.
“Why did the imposter take over as king in the first place?” Corbon offered still polishing his sword.
“And here’s another thing: I had to get a prism for King Avarice in order to get the harp for you.” He said addressing the root. “In return for the prism, King Avarice told me he would give me the harp and help me figure out how to return to my world. The information thing hasn’t happened.”
“You made a deal with greed and, as usual, greed came out ahead.”
“Avarice said he’d help me.”
“And you believed him?” Corbon wanted to know.
“I had no reason not to believe him. They certainly have the level of technology necessary to know about interplanetary travel.”
“You might try making another bargain with King Avarice,” suggested the root. “Keep it to a simple trade this time.”
“How am I supposed to get back down to the city?”
“The capsule by the inlet. I’ll instruct the sea whips to take you down to the city,” informed the root.
“But what am I supposed to trade for the information?”
“Remember that Avarice likes to possess rare things. His greed extends far beyond gold and gems.”
“Wonderful. So now I have to find something rare.” Marlin tapped his foot while he cupped his chin in his hand. He looked thoughtful.
“Isn’t there already something you should be doing?” inquired the root.
“Holy smokes you’re right!” Marlin exclaimed leaping to his feet. “I have to get the key to Gromwyn.”
“I’ll take you to Stadule,” Syngrine said.
“I don’t have anything else to offer you,” Marlin told her.
“I’m curious about the imposters. Besides, when you’ve lived as long as I have, you look for amusement in every place you can.”
“Agreed,” said the root with a smile in its voice.
“Count me in,” added Corbon. He sheathed his sword. “I want to see the real Gromwyn so I can thank him for wanting to help Carast.”
“Farewell,” said the root as it retreated back into the earth.
“It will be nightfall soon. We should fly to Stadule once it is dark.” Syngrine informed the two men.
“Good idea,” agreed Corbon. “You should keep out of sight until we can find that other dragon.”
Marlins stomach grumbled rather loudly. He placed his hand over it. Looking down at it he said, “I agree with you.”
“It’s my place, let me play hostess.” Syngrine lumbered off into the far reaches of the cavern.
“Lovely,” observed Marlin. “We’ll get dragon snacks. At least I bet they’ll be a good portion. Ha!” He laughed.
Corbon was busy assembling the makings of a fire pit. “You could give me a hand with this you know.”
“Oh yeah. Sorry.” Marlin began picking up kindling. “I was wondering about Kyra and Athon. Two young siblings I met when I first arrived here.”
“The two from Niraba?”
“Yes, that’s them.”
“Last I heard they deserted their inn before the soldiers arrived for manoeuvres.”
“That they did. They eventually lead me to the sunken gold city. That’s where I left them.”
“Was it your choice to leave them?”
“No. Apparently it was theirs.”
“There you have it then.”
They finished building a small rock rimmed fire pit complete with wood ready for igniting. Corbon had even quickly carved a couple of posts. He hammered the posts into the sand on either side of the fire pit.
Syngrine came sauntering back from the rear of the cavern. She was carrying a nine foot long pole in her mouth.
She set the pole down on the posts by the fire pit. The pole was filled from end to end with rabbits.
Syngrine pulled back and let out a small flame to ignite the fire in the fire pit.
Corbon turned the spit.
It didn’t take long for the rabbits to roast. Soon they were all dining. The men each took one rabbit. Syngrine swallowed the rest like someone pulling the cherry off of their drink’s stir stick.
Darkness arrived and covered everything. A quarter moon was set high on the purple/black drapery of the star speckled sky.
When they had had their fill of rabbit Syngrine announced, "It's time to go to the Castle of Stadule.”
###
The men met Syngrine outside the cave as they had before. As before Syngrine snatched them up in her claws and carried them across the countryside to the Castle of Stadule.
Syngrine dropped them off in a little clearing one hundred yards away from the castle walls.
Marlin made his way to the wall-coloured tarp. He and Corbon passed silently into the castle.
They made their way down the back alleys to the little brown door the sibling had taken Marlin to before.
Marlin imitated Athon’s rhythmic wrapping on the door.
“Moccachino,” came the voice again from behind the door.
Leaning into the door, Marlin said, “Marlin.”
The door opened and Gromwyn peered out. “Where are the children?”
“Home.”
“But the island...” Gromwyn began.
“They were saved by their technology.”
“Astonishing!” Gromwyn exclaimed. “Can they then help you get back to your home?”
“Probably. But I need something I can trade with King Avarice in exchange for that help.”
“Avarice lives. I had no idea.” Gromwyn was lost in thought for a moment.
“This is Corbon from Carast. He’s a man who enjoys swords.”
“Corbon the Carver?”
“That’s me, sire.”
“You wouldn’t believe what I had to do to get this key.” Marlin handed the Key of Obisk over to Gromwyn.
“Ah, marvellous.” Gromwyn was delighted. “Follow me.”
Gromwyn closed the door behind him and lead the two men down another narrow passageway. They wound up in a dead end.
Gromwyn examined the wall on the right side of the dead end. “It should be here,” he said. “Six feet high and three feet wide.”
He began to kick at the wall.
“What should be there?” Corbon asked.
“A door. It’s covered over with loose rock and cement.”
“Stand back a moment.” Corbon wielded his blade.
A few quick movements of Corbon’s hands had the debris falling away from the door.
“You are good,” Gromwyn commented.
Corbon laughed. “Here’s another little trick.” He flipped the sword over, grabbing the dull edge of the blade where it met the hilt, and shot the hilt out swiftly so that it hit the key hole. It knocked out a pile of rubble. Then he quickly flipped the handle back into his palm.
Gromwyn inserted the key. The lock was stiff but eventually gave way.
Gromwyn pulled at the door. The other two joined in to help. They managed to get the door open just far enough for them to squeeze through.
They entered a dimly lit passageway.
“This way we can avoid the guards. This will take us to the king’s inner chambers. I shall confront the imposter there.”
They followed the passageway until it connected to a large chamber. They entered the room from behind a large vase filled with ferns.
Lying on the bed was Gromwyn’s twin. He was reading a book.
“It is time for you to leave,” the real Gromwyn commanded.
The one on the bed closed his booked and gave a side long glance to the one who had addressed him.
He flung his legs over the side of the bed and got up. “I was wondering how long it would take you to get here.”
“I am here now. And now you must go.”
“I don’t think so. Remember the dragon that laid waste to Carast?”
“What about it?”
The fake Gromwyn emitted an evil laugh. “It just so happens that I’m him, too.” His shape began to change as he grew ever larger. His body formed scales and sprouted wings and a tail. In an instant he had transformed into the spitting image of Syngrine.
He towered over the men. “Fools. I am Zin-Garr, multidimensional super star.” His voice had changed. He no longer sounded like Gromwyn. “And you aren’t ready for my fame. So here comes my flame.” He let forth a burst of fire from his nostrils.
The men dodged the flames.
Zin-Garr smashed one of the chamber’s windows with his tail. A small branch poked its way into the chamber.
The men hid in various spots around the chamber.
“You cannot hide from me,” the dragon Zin-Garr threatened.
None of them noticed the increasing number of branches coming in through the broken window. Nor did they see the harp borne on those branches.
Zin-Garr smashed some furniture. He burned a few things.
Suddenly he stopped and listened. There was a strange melody playing.
In a flash the dragon was gone. Instead there was a man with short grey hair, dressed in black leather, seated on the throne. He adjusted his sunglasses as he rested his studded boots on an arm of the throne.
“It’s a good thing for you I like music,” he stated.
He jerked a hand toward the branch holding the harp. It shredded into pieces; dropping the harp. Tiny blades could be seen gleaming in the wall beyond where the branch had been.
Zin-Garr got up from the throne and went over to scoop up the harp.
Corbon, baring his sword, blocked Zin-Garr’s path.
“Do you really think you can stop me with that?” Zin-Garr mocked him.
“I figured it was worth a shot,” Corbon replied with a smile.
“You are either highly skilled or just plain cocky.”
“Why don’t you find out?”
Zin-Garr shot flame from his mouth. Corbon dodged.
Corbon thrust at Zin-Garr’s chest. Zin-Garr spun out of the way.
“Luck or skill,” Zin-Garr taunted him. “I still can’t decide.”
Zin-Garr jerked a hand in Corbon’s direction.
With unrivalled speed Corbon’s blade buzzed through Zin-Garr’s projectiles.
Zin-Garr’s jaw dropped. “Skill” was all he managed to get out before Marlin’s fist smashed him into unconsciousness.
Gromwyn quickly called the guards. He made a mental note to ask them why they hadn’t come running when all the commotion was going on.
Corbon and Marlin searched the room and came back with ropes to bind Zin-Garr.
“He’s a dragon,” said Corbon as he bound Zin-Garr’s knees.
“I had noticed that,” Marlin flipped back at him.
“We’re going to need help to keep him locked up.”
“Yes,” Gromwyn joined in. “Perhaps Syngrine would like to meet Zin-Garr.”
“Up close and personal, yes sir,” Marlin added.
Gromwyn addressed the branches. “Will you relay a message to Syngrine?”
The branches replied, “I already have. She’s on her way.”
The guards finally arrived. Gromwyn told them to inform the soldiers and the other guards that no action was to be taken against Syngrine. Then he had them carry Zin-Garr to the castle courtyard.
They all stood in the stillness of the courtyard. A breeze stirred the dust on the cobblestones. A gently beating of wings softly intruded upon their hearing.
Then there was the sound of heels clicking across the cobblestones. A striking redhead came waltzing out of the shadows at the far end of the courtyard.
Her green eyes flared through the darkness and pierced Marlin’s heart.
“Wowwowwow,” he sputtered. “She’s hot.”
Gromwyn snickered, “You don’t know how hot she is.”
Corbon grinned and snickered.
“So that’s the imposter?” she asked in a smouldering, smoky voice.
“Hey wait a minute,” Marlin clued in. “You’re Syngrine!”
“What was your first clue?” Syngrine asked. She flashed her green eyes at Marlin and snorted a little flame.
“Yes, this is the imposter.” Gromwyn said to Syngrine. “He played the parts of you and me.”
“Why?”
“We don’t know yet. But we do know that we cannot keep a dragon here. We won’t be able to stop him if he assumes his dragon form.”
“So you want me to keep an eye on him. Is that the drill?”
“In a nutshell, yes.”
“Fine. Can do. I want some answers, too.”
Marlin wanted some answers of his own from Syngrine. “If you can transform into a human, why haven’t you done it before?”
“I have. Lots of times. This is just the first time you’ve seen it.”
“Oh. This guy,” he nudged Zin-Garr with his foot, “mentioned something about ‘multidimensional’. Can you travel between different dimensions?”
“Some dragons can. I don’t know if I can or not. I never really thought about it.”
“Because if you can, you’re my ticket home.”
“I hate to disappoint you but I don’t have the first clue about dimension travel. Maybe leather boy here will be able to help.”
“Where are you going to take Zin-Garr?” asked Corbon.
“A little island south west of here.”
“But if he knows dimension travel, and you don’t, how are you going to stop him from escaping?”
“You are presuming that he can travel at will and needs no outside mechanisms,” Gromwyn pointed out.
“Ah, good point,” Marlin conceded.
“Guess you’ll never know,” came a voice from the ground.
Zin-Garr snapped his bonds. He leapt to his feet. “How dare you?!” He spat at them.
“Pipe down, bub,” Syngrine chided him.
“I am Zin-Garr, multidimensional superstar. You should all be begging me to pick up a guitar and play.”
“Get over yourself,” Corbon advised him.
“You shall all die for your mockery.” He threw his shoulders back. Then he lurched his head forward and spewed flames at the group.
Syngrine saw it coming. She blocked the flames with her own.
Zin-Garr was grabbing a deep breath when Corbon used the same trick on Zin-Garr’s stomach that he had used on the keyhole. Zip went the sword. Thud went the hilt into Zin-Garr’s gut. Zin-Garr doubled over and got hit in the head with the hilt as Corbon flipped it back into his hand.
Syngrine got behind Zin-Garr and grabbed his arms. She bent them behind his back.
“You can’t hold on to me forever,” he hissed at her.
“Long enough,” she said giving him a squeeze.
“We need to find some way of containing him,” Gromwyn mused.
“If I had the proper equipment I could probably rig up something that would keep him in place,” Marlin offered.
“What would you need?” asked Gromwyn.
“Things, I’m willing to bet, that I’ll only find in the sunken gold city.”
“You mentioned that you’ve been there before. Can you get back there?”
“I need to get back to the inlet by Syngrine’s cave. The Tree of Pondish said it would help me.”
“Here,” said Syngrine. “You guys hold onto him for a second.” She released Zin-Garr into the hands of the men. Three men struggling on each arm managed to hold him.
While the men were preoccupied Syngrine turned into her dragon form. She grasped Zin-Garr in one of her claws.
“Who’s coming?” she asked.
“I have to go.” Marlin stated. “But I still don’t have anything to trade with King Avarice.”
“Avarice likes rare things,” Gromwyn thought out loud. “Dragons are fairly rare around here.”
“And even rarer at the bottom of the sea,” Corbon chimed in.
“Oh I get it,” Marlin nodded. “Avarice lends me the equipment I need to build a container for Zin-Garr. In exchange Avarice gets to keep Zin-Garr.”
“Right,” said Gromwyn. “Avarice gets a dragon under water and we get rid of an annoying prisoner.”
“What about me?” screamed Zin-Garr. “Don’t I get a say in this?”
“You tried to kill people and take over the castle. No, you don’t get a say.” Syngrine squeezed Zin-Garr.
Zin-Garr gasped. “Listen,” he said. “I’m used to being on display. Performing is my life. If you’re going to add me to someone’s collection you should at least get the most out of me.”
“What are you talking about?” Marlin asked him.
“I owe a lot of money,” Zin-Garr confided. “It isn’t safe for me to do gigs in my own dimension.”
“Gigs? So, you really are a musician?”
“The greatest.”
“A dragon musician. Have I seen everything? I think not.”
“If I had my gear I could prove it to you.”
“So you figured you’d just split to this dimension?”
“Yes. Then I found out that there was already a dragon here. It was the perfect ploy to get the king out of town on a secret mission. Then I could take his place; build my wealth so that I could afford to do whatever I wished.”
“You didn’t hurt anyone in Carast, you know.”
“I thought I burned it to the ground.”
“Nope. You inconvenienced the people a bit , but that’s about all.” Corbon let him know.
“But the village was made of tents!”
“The roofs are painted that way to help reflect the sun. All the buildings are stone. You burned a few awnings.” Corbon informed him.
“Really? Well, it was awfully dark that night. Hard to see anything, really.” Zin-Garr fiddled with his shades.
“Corbon, will you accompany me to the sunken city of gold?”
“I’d love to see that place.”
“Good. King Gromwyn, until we meet again. Syngrine if you’d do your stuff, please.”
Syngrine grasped Marlin and Corbon in her other claw and took off.
“Tell me about dimension travel,” Marlin shouted at Zin-Garr.
“That’s for me to know,” Zin-Garr shouted back.
“Well,” continued Marlin. “You must not be able to do it whenever you want or else you’d have escaped by now.”
“He needs a device. Part of it is on his belt.” It was Syngrine talking. “But the device only opens a doorway between this dimension and his. That’s all he knows.”
Marlin and Zin-Garr were dumbfounded.
Corbon laughed. “Did I forget to tell you? Syngrine is telepathic. Just like you can change your shape. She can read minds.”
“So I know exactly what you were thinking when you saw me walking across the castle courtyard,” Syngrine informed Marlin. Marlin turned a deep crimson.
They landed at the inlet.
Corbon snatched the device from Zin-Garr’s belt before Syngrine took off again.
The two made their way around the inlet to the capsule.
“Here’s hoping the Tree is paying attention,” Marlin wondered.
Roots shot out from the embankment. “I am,” they said.
Corbon checked out the size of the capsule. “That’s going to be a tight fit.”
“Think thin and get in,” urged the roots.
###
The two squeezed into the tiny room. The roots lifted the capsule gently into the water.
Tendrils from the waves enveloped the capsule and pulled it swiftly under the waves.
The men inside were jostled about during the short trip.
They felt a soft thud. Marlin tried the door. It swung open into clean air. They got out cautiously and looked around.
King Avarice was seated on his throne. He was idly gazing at the prism.
“About my tools,” Marlin said loudly.
Avarice jumped in his seat. “How did you get here?”
“By way of your very own sea lackeys. Guess the Tree of Pondish has more pull than you do.” He laughed.
“What do you want? And who’s your friend?”
“This is Corbon of Carast. Corbon I’d like you to meet King Avarice.” The two nodded at each other.
“What do you want,” Avarice repeated.
“I want tools and facilities to build a containment unit for a dragon.”
“What?”
“From just being here I can tell that your scientists have the necessary technology to allow me to build what I need.”
“What if they do? What do I get out of it?”
“King,” Marlin said as he took Avarice by the shoulders, “Let me tell you about a little thing called tourism. And all the money it can bring.”
Avarice’s eyes lit up. “Tell me more.”
Marlin explained the concept of having King Avarice’s treasures on display. He talked about establishing a shuttle between the surface and the sunken city.
“And the main attraction will be your very own dragon,” Marlin concluded.
“Dragon? Here? How are you going to pull that off?”
“Give me the tools and equipment that I need and I’ll show you.”
“Done,” said Avarice.
Avarice led the two down a couple of corridors and around a couple of corners to the city’s laboratory.
“Give him anything he asks for,” he told the head scientist. “But make note of it.”
“You go back to the surface and tell Syngrine what’s going on.” Marlin told Corbon.
“Right,” replied Corbon. “I can give her a hand looking after Zin-Garr.”
“Where are Athon and Kyra?” Marlin asked the king.
“In their ancestral home across the courtyard from the castle proper.”
“I’d like to visit them.”
“Do as you please.” Avarice went back to his throne.
Marlin turned to Corbon. “Come and meet Athon and Kyra.”
“They used to run the inn in Niraba, didn’t they?”
“That’s the pair. Oh yeah, Athon helped out at the inn, too.”
Marlin and Corbon left the castle and meandered across the courtyard to the siblings' house.
###
The lion head knocker resounded against the huge gold door.
The door opened silently. There stood Athon with a dirty rag in his hand.
“Marlin!” he exclaimed. He indicated the cloth. “I know I don’t have to do any cleaning up around here , but old habits die hard.”
The men laughed.
“Athon, I’d like you to meet Corbon of Carast.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Corbon extending his hand.
“Likewise,” said Athon gripping Corbon’s hand.
“Where’s Kyra?” inquired Marlin.
“Trying to find something to do. This house belonged to our parents. It came complete with servants. There’s really nothing we have to do. After working so hard to maintain the inn, Kyra is going crazy with boredom.”
“I think I can help find something for both of you to occupy your time.”
“Let’s go see Kyra.”
They made their way through the opulent mansion out into the rock garden. Kyra was in the garden moving stones about.
The three men approached her from behind.
“Hey! Put down the rock. We’re friendly, honest,” Marlin said in an overly loud voice.
Kyra turned and spotted Marlin. Her face lit up and she dashed over to greet him. “Marlin! How good to see you. How did you get back down here? Who’s your friend with the big, hard pointy thing? How’s Gromwyn? What’s going on? ” The questions came in a flurry of words.
Marlin playfully spat the answers back at the same rate of speed. “Seawhips helped us. Corbon of Carast. Back on the throne of Stadule. A plan to relieve your boredom.”
“Yay! What did you have in mind?”
“I’m introducing tourism to this sunken city. It’ll be a goldmine.”
“Tourism? Here?”
“Yep. A seawhip shuttle service from the surface will bring the folks down and back. People will flock for miles to see the city beneath the waves. And of course many of those travellers are going to want to spend the night in the city.”
Kyra picked up Marlin’s thought, “Which means this city needs an inn.”
“And a nightspot for them to relax in,” Marlin added.
“Sounds like a great plan,” Athon chipped in.
“It sounds like a lot of work,” added Corbon. He smiled as he reached forward for Kyra’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kyra. I don’t think these guys are going to get around to a formal introduction.”
Kyra blushed slightly as Corbon kissed her hand. “The pleasure is mine, Corbon.”
“It will be a lot of work. But if these two aren’t interested...”
“We are interested,” Athon said. Kyra nodded her agreement.
“You two will establish an inn and bar?”
“The inn we can handle. Running the bar would be just too much work.”
“Tell you what; you supply the building and supplies for the bar and I’ll look after it.”
“You won’t have time to manage a bar if you’re going back to your world.”
Marlin thought about the life he had left behind. He couldn’t piece together the case he had been working on. He had no idea what sort of a world he would be returning to. And he had grown to like it here.
“Who said anything about going back? I’d rather stay here and run a happening bar.”
“But I thought you wanted to go back,” said a confused Kyra.
Marlin grabbed her around the waist and tilted her back slightly. “I’m a lone wolf, baby. I’ll roam wherever I want.”
Kyra giggled.
“Seriously, though, I think bantering over a bar would suit me.”
“I think so, too.” Kyra said. She looked at Athon. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
Athon gave her a mock salute.
Kyra hit Athon on the shoulder.
Rubbing his shoulder Athon asked, “Where are you two staying?”
“I have to return to the surface,” stated Corbon.
“And I’ll be spending all my time in the laboratory in the castle.”
“Then we all have something to do,” Kyra concluded. They all nodded. “Let’s get to it. Oh,” she stopped. “Tell me more about Gromwyn. He managed to oust the imposter?”
“Yes, with a little help from Corbon and me.”
“The imposter is a dimension travelling dragon called Zin-Garr,” Corbon informed the pair.
“We’re going to capture him and bring him here.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“With the right bait and the right trap.”
“Which are?”
“An electric guitar and something you have to see to believe.”
“Electric guitar? What’s that?”
“It’s a musical instrument. The guitar should tempt Zin-Garr if he’s as in to playing one as he lets on.”
“I can’t wait to get to work!”
Corbon and Marlin left the house of the siblings and returned to the castle.
Corbon boarded the capsule to the surface. “I’ll find Syngrine and Zin-Garr. Ask the Tree of Pondish where to find me when you’re ready.”
He closed the door and the capsule took off.
Marlin headed for the laboratory.
He located the head scientist and showed him the VibraTech files. Marlin told him that he needed a team.
The head scientist assembled a team of five scientists and instructed them to do what Marlin requested.
Marlin set the scientists about gathering up all the materials they would need to bring the plans off the paper.
Marlin had the scientists team up to build the contraptions.
Four hours later all of the devices had been constructed.
Marlin walked along the work table where two of the items were sitting. He inspected each item in turn. The head scientist followed closely behind.
The first object he inspected was a small black cube. “This,” he said holding up the cube, “will store electricity. It’s called a battery.”
He moved along the table. He came to a guitar shaped object. He picked it up. Flipped it over. Looked along the length of the neck. “What is that,” asked the head scientist.
“This is the one man band. It’s a guitar with built-in synthesizer. One person playing sounds like an entire ensemble. We need a battery to operate it.”
He was still holding the guitar when he walked over to the battery. He picked it up and plugged it into the back of the guitar. After flipping a couple of switches on the front of the guitar he gave the strings a strum. It sounded like someone playing an electric guitar who didn’t know how to play the guitar.
Everyone covered their ears. “It’ll sound good in the hands of someone who can play,” Marlin assured them.
He set the guitar down and moved along the table.
The third object was actually standing beside the table. It looked like a six foot tall clear glass box seated upon a small black base.
“I need a volunteer from the audience,” Marlin said.
The scientists looked confused.
Marlin grabbed one of them. “Stand here,” he indicated a spot on the floor in front of the glass box.
The scientist moved into position.
Marlin hit a switch on the bass of the box. Then he pushed the scientist.
The scientist stumbled backwards but instead of knocking the box over, he fell inside. Regaining his composure the scientist pressed his hands against the sides of the glass. All four walls and the ceiling were completely solid.
“This one’s great at parties,” Marlin remarked. “One-way pass through glass. The base handles the direction.” He toggled a switch and the scientist was able to walk out.
“This one even has an air circulation pump in the base. Good job people.”
Turning to the head scientist he asked, “Now I need a way to get the pass through glass up to the surface.”
“That won’t be a problem,” came Avarice’s voice behind him.
Marlin spun around. “Ah, King. I have the bait and the trap that I need. Your people do marvellous work.”
“Get in the capsule in the throne room. I’ll make sure everything gets to the surface.”
“Heh heh heh. If it’s all the same to you I’d rather ship everything skyward first. Then I’ll hop on the throne room shuttle.”
Avarice scrutinized Marlin. “The prize you seek to catch is more precious to me than your inventions.”
Marlin believed him. “Okay, I’ll be back with your prize.”
He walked out of the laboratory and headed for the throne room.
He was just getting into the capsule when Kyra arrived.
She was clutching a brown burlap sack. “Here,” she said handing the sack to Marlin. “I found this in a corner of the house.”
Marlin started to open the bag.
Kyra quickly stopped him. “Don’t,” she said. “Read what the card on the rope around the bag says.”
###
Marlin flipped over the small card and read out loud, “This bag contains the infamous Harp of Harassment. Handle only with this bag. Nothing else. Do not touch the harp with your bare hands. You have been warned.”
“Somehow it ended up with my family,” Kyra shrugged.
“This might just come in handy. Thanks, Kyra.”
“See you back here soon?”
“I certainly hope so.”
He boarded the shuttle and it took off.
Arriving at the inlet he departed from the capsule.
He was dusting himself off from the journey when a much larger capsule popped out of the sea.
He walked over and opened the door. Inside he found two workers and his devices.
“Where should we take these?” asked one of the workers.
“Just leave them there,” Marlin told them. “Use the other shuttle to return to the city.”
The workers nodded and trudged over to the smaller capsule. They squeezed inside and the shuttle took off back into the sea.
Marlin was on his way up to Syngrine’s cave when he noticed a shadow fly over head.
Corbon came running out of the cave. “Zin-Garr has escaped!”
“How did that happen?”
“Well,” Corbon began sheepishly. “Syngrine and I were arguing and we sort of took our attention off him for only a moment...”
“Not a big deal. I think I can get him back.”
“He’s threatened to burn the entire country to the ground.”
“He won’t have time. Go get Syngrine.” Marlin went back to the capsule by the inlet while Corbon bolted back into the cave.
Reaching into the capsule Marlin pulled out the guitar.
Corbon and Syngrine, in human form, came racing out of the cave and down to the inlet.
“What’s that?” Corbon wanted to know.
“Bait,” replied Marlin. He turned the guitar on and started to play badly.
Within seconds a shadow appeared overhead. Zin-Garr landed and took on his human form.
“That’s pathetic,” he spat. “Here, give me that.” He advanced toward Marlin.
“Oh sure,” said Marlin innocently. He peeled the bag off the harp of harassment, being careful not to touch it with his bare hands.
Zin-Garr reached out for the guitar but instead touched the harp. He began to play it.
“Hey,” he said in a shocked tone. “What’s going on here?”
“That, my friend, is the harp of harassment.”
“I can’t stop playing it.”
“That’s the whole idea.”
Zin-Garr tried to stop playing the harp. He couldn’t. He tried to concentrate on turning into his dragon form. He was too preoccupied with the harp to do so. He couldn’t even muster a breath of flame.
“I’m hungry,” Marlin said to Syngrine.
“I could do with a snack myself,” she replied. “Let’s go back to my cave and I’ll whip something up.”
“What about him?” Corbon asked indicating Zin-Garr.
“He isn’t tired enough yet. We’ll come back for him after we’ve snacked. He isn’t going anywhere.”
“I will kill you all!” Zin-Garr screamed at their backs as they walked up the hill.
The trio had their snacks and sat around chatting for a few hours. Marlin told them about the harp of harassment. Finally they made their way slowly back down to the inlet.
Zin-Garr was still standing there playing the harp. Sweat was pouring down his forehead. He was visibly exhausted.
“Please,” he begged. “Make it stop.”
“Give him a hand, would you Corbon?”
“My pleasure.” Corbon’s sword sliced through the air and severed the harp.
The harp fell to the ground in two pieces. It quickly reassembled itself.
Marlin scooped it up with the bag it had come in.
Zin-Garr crumpled to the ground.
Syngrine moved in and picked Zin-Garr off the ground. She held on to him by pinning his arms together. “Where do you want him?”
“Toss him into that glass box in the capsule.”
Syngrine pushed Zin-Garr at the box. He rebounded off the surface.
“Oops, let me fix something,” said Marlin as he reversed the movement of the pass through glass. “Try again.”
Again Syngrine pushed Zin-Garr at the box. This time he went through the glass and remained inside the box.
Zin-Garr pounded against the glass.
“Uh uh uh,” chided Marlin as he waggled a finger at him.
“That material can withstand the pressure of several atmospheres. Expand your shape to try to break free and you’ll just end up crushing yourself.”
Zin-Garr grew until he was hunched over inside the cube.
He pressed against the cube with all his might. After a few attempts he shrank back to human size. “Well, if I’m going to be in here for the rest of whatever, could I at least have that guitar?”
“That gives me a great idea,” Marlin was inspired. “Let me make sure I’ve got my facts straight. You’re a trans-dimensional rock star who is avoiding unfriendlies in his own dimension.”
“Yeah.”
“You came here to hide out, gather as much coin as you could by whatever means possible; then return to your dimension to pay off your debts?”
“That’s it, yeah.”
“So, all you really want to do is have a steady gig where you can play your music and not keep getting hassled by creditors?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then have I got a deal for you.”
“What’s going on?” inquired Corbon.
“The end of our adventure together,” Marlin told him.
“Thank-you for all of your help. I’m taking Zin-Garr to King Avarice as promised. Then I’m going to taking Kyra up on her offer to give me a night club.”
Corbon grasped Marlin’s hand. “I’ll come visit you when everything is up and running.” He jerked a thumb towards Syngrine. “I might even bring her along.” He smiled.
Syngrine looked at them flatly. “Maybe. It has been fun. Good-bye, little man.”
As Marlin watched the two depart he couldn't help wondering, "Am I forgetting something? Wasn't there something I was supposed to do? Nah, couldn't be."
End
After Words
Thank you for reading my little novelette. This is actually a side-story in another series of books that I have written about the inhabitants of Antasta. The first book, 'Vexyna's Awakening', will be available soon. It should be noted that it is much longer (over 300 pages) and is not as humorous.
Sometimes when I write I hear actors in my head. This work was inspired by Bruce Campbell. He made the perfect accountant cum hero. As I was writing other actors popped in to play parts for me. As this will never become a screenplay I could create my own cast. Corbon the Carver was Christopher Lambert. King Gromwyn was Sean Connery. Patrick Stewart came in to play King Avarice. Zin-Garr's part went to Michael des Barre and Alexandra Tydings was my Kyra. Try imagining those people in those parts.
Your feedback is always welcome. You can reach me at mailto:alphyacing@darlamittler.com
Cheery Bye!
Alphya